Passion and Profit -- Can We Have Both?

“Ordinary people become extraordinary and produce extraordinary results when they align their passion with a meaningful purpose.”

-- Theresa Szczurek, Ph.D.

We’re inspired by stories of wildly successful entrepreneurs who turned a hobby -- or a passion -- into a thriving business and realized their dreams. It’s encouraging to read about those who started with little and seemed unlikely candidates for business success but, driven by passion, worked absurdly long hours and surmounted enormous difficulties to beat the odds and make it big.

Passion is a powerful emotion. It ignites energy, enthusiasm and creativity, and brings meaningful purpose to life. We can’t just drum up passion when we need it. It comes from within. In his outstanding book Good to Great, Jim Collins writes, “You can’t manufacture passion or ‘motivate’ people to feel passionate. You can only discover what ignites your passion and the passions of those around you.”

What Are You Passionate About?

It may be helpful to take time and find out. If you’re totally stumped and don’t know what it is, think back to your childhood dreams. What did you enjoy as a child? Your passion should certainly line up with your values and personal goals.

Some know what they are passionate about, but have a hard time stepping out to pursue it. Fear, faulty beliefs or negative self-talk may be stopping them. Sometimes, just recognizing what’s holding you back is all you need to change and move forward.

Will Passion Lead to Business Success?

Experts disagree on the importance of passion for business success. Some insist that solid business know-how is all you need. Others, especially those who have successfully followed their dreams, disagree. We have Make-it-Fly® board members who are successful entrepreneurs and enjoy, but are not passionate about, their businesses. However, their companies afford them the freedom and financial resources to do what they love -- perhaps devote extensive time to family, or to a sport or hobby that they are passionate about. They reap profits from their businesses and pursue their passions.

The Pluses of Passion

Starting a business is stressful. When you’re passionate about the company and what it stands for, you are more likely to weather the small biz start-up storms. It still requires a lot of effort, but it’s certainly much more fun and rewarding to work hard for something you’re passionate about.

Passion is highly contagious. If you’re madly enthusiastic about your business, you will naturally inspire that same enthusiasm in others: your employees, vendors and clients.

Passion can motivate you to persevere when the going gets tough, but passion alone isn’t enough. It will still take hard work and self-discipline. You must do the needed research, make a realistic plan, set goals and decide on strategies to achieve your goals.

Points to Ponder:

1. You can’t do it alone. Be sure to get encouragement and support along the way. Find and join a like-minded group of entrepreneurs, or hire a coach or mentor.

2. Your role could change. If the business grows, you may find yourself managing others who are doing what you love to do.

3. Plan time away to stay balanced. The temptation to work seven days a week increases when you’re doing what you love.

4. You may love what you do, but do you love to sell? Will selling be an overwhelming challenge?

5. Be realistic. Ask yourself if this will still be your passion when you have to work at it.

6. Learn all you can. Talk to others who have successfully done what you want to do, read books and take classes.

Pursuing our passion energizes us. It brings joy and a sense of purpose to life. What is your passion? Are you pursuing it through your business? Or does the business enable you to do what you love? When your business is your passion, or the business allows you to pursue your passion, you can enjoy both passion and profit.